| Title | : | A Bramble House Christmas (Carrigans of the Circle C, #6) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 224 |
| Publication | : | First published October 24, 2015 |
| Awards | : | RITA Award by Romance Writers of America Best Contemporary Romance: Short (2016) |
But Willa Fairchild is not the conniving woman he expects to find. Before he knows it, Willa-and her six-year-old son Scout-are stealing his heart. And that’s before he finds out Scout’s secret and the real reason this Christmas is so important.
A Bramble House Christmas (Carrigans of the Circle C, #6) Reviews
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When Finn Conrad’s recently deceased father leaves his nurse Willa Fairchild (that he only knew for a very short time) fifty thousand dollars in his will, Finn travels to the Bramble House B&B in Marietta, Montana, where Willa is spending Christmas with her six-year-old son, to find out some answers from her. Once he meets Willa and gets to know her, Finn finds that she is far from the gold digger that he thought her to be and falls for both her and her adorable son, Scout.
I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas romance. It featured a wonderful cast of characters that I really enjoyed getting to know. Finn who was a children’s book illustrator. Willa who was so kind and caring and doted on her son. Her adorable brave son Scout who added so much to the story. Sage, who Willa befriended and who owned a chocolate shop. And the kind and welcoming B&B owners Eliza and Marshall. I loved the cozy setting of the B&B and the festiveness of the Christmas season throughout—the Christmas lights in town, building snowmen, ice skating, tobogganing… There was an interesting secondary storyline that included a mystery surrounding an antique ring and the Bramble family tree. All in all, this was a wonderful and lovely Christmastime read. -
4 What's Not To Love Stars
AND IT IS FREE!!!!
* * * * Spoiler Free
You have:
Willa Knightly, a young nurse and single mom with a 6-year-old son who fought and won their battle with Cancer.
A loving elderly patient stricken with the same evil, bond over his fight. He leaves in his will a large sum which causes the family to wonder why...
Egged on by his bitter mom and concerned sisters, Finn Conrad goes to Marietta, Montana to see who this woman is and what hold she had on his father....
Both spend the next 3 weeks hiding their secrets while having this sense of something special for each other...Will new trust be broken and the opportunity to experience authentic love be lost...
We have this love story surrounded by the ever-present warmth of Marietta and all of the ongoing characters. There are questions about an old rumored affair, a secretive Santa, and a little boy with the strength and heart to bring all of them together in the end.
A lovely Christmas read from our Marietta Bramble House family.
A gifted copy was provided by Tule Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.
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3.5
This was a sweet Christmas romance about a single mom whose son just recovered from Leukemia and a man trying to figure out what happened to his dad in his last days. Finn's dad had cancer and didn't tell anyone in his family, so they were surprised when he passes away and leaves $50,000 to his nurse. Finn and his siblings don't understand why he would leave his nurse that much money, so Finn plans to meet her at Bramble House where she's staying with her son to confront her. Of course, Finn sees she's as mom and gets to know her and the two start to fall for each other. This is a short and sweet romance, but I do wish that Finn told her about who he really was before things got physical between them. I did enjoy the extra drama of Finn's dad's family and all of the people at Bramble. And I loved how Willa was a single mom! Her son Scout was adorable and I loved how he was believing in Christmas again and learning so many new things with Finn. It was a cute romance! -
When I heard this was being turned into a Hallmark movie (my favourite!!!) I moved this up to the top of my reading list. I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed this Christmas story about Willa and her son, Scout, and their vacation to Marietta, Montana, where they met Finn Knightly. Scout truly stole the show for me and I loved each and every scene he was in. I loved all of the secondary characters and think I will go back and read earlier books in this series.
Now I want to read more Christmas stories! Great read. -
I really enjoyed this sweet, poignant, romantic Christmas tale, and look forward to reading more in the series. I'm not sure how long it'll last, but right now it's free for Kindle!
http://amzn.to/2c504Ma
Blurb:
Finn Knightly a.k.a. Finn Conrad wants to know why his recently deceased father left his nurse fifty thousand dollars after knowing her a mere six weeks. So he travels to Bramble House B&B in Marietta, Montana to find answers.
But Willa Fairchild is not the conniving woman he expects to find. Before he knows it, Willa-and her six-year-old son Scout-are stealing his heart. And that’s before he finds out Scout’s secret and the real reason this Christmas is so important. -
While I enjoyed this holiday offering, I perhaps didn’t enjoy it as much as others obviously have. It took me a very long time to read, because it felt a bit too Harlequin for me. By that I simply mean that though it had its moments, it felt a bit artificially put together for me; a soupçon of this popular device, a dash of that cliche. All tried and true formulas. The more I read, the more it felt to me like an author — perhaps at a publisher’s request — had written down elements certain to please most readers of the Christmas romance sub-genre, and then professionally hit all her marks. Because this appears to be a series, it apparently had a built-in audience. I just couldn’t get lost in this story the way I wanted to, because I felt no heartfelt connection. I’m extremely sentimental, both as a writer and a reader, which is why I love Christmas. I expected to enjoy this much more than I did, and therein lies my disappointment. Though everything is in place — just read the book description — here for a warm holiday offering, I just didn’t find that extra bit of depth, or enough moments that hit me in the heart. There are Christmas books which remain with me after many years, but while I did like A Bramble House Christmas, and have nothing against it, it will very quickly fade from my memory.
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After seeing the Hallmark movie version of this book and loving it, I decided I wanted to read the book that inspired it. To me this is one of the best Hallmark movies I've ever seen. It wasn't cringe worthy or cheesy like a lot of them are. It had more substance. The story tackles some heavy subjects, like cancer and losing a parent, but in the end it left me with such a heartwarming feeling. It's one of the only ones that I've watched more than once, and it had me tearing up a bit each time.
I ended up enjoying this book almost as much as the movie. I have to admit that the actors brought the characters to life and added just the right amount of emotion to their roles. I felt a little more connected to the characters on the screen than I did while reading the book, but the book is still very good. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the movie stayed pretty true to the book. There were a few things left out, or changed of course, but most of the book, and the same lovely message, was there.
This is actually part of a companion series, but works fine as a standalone. It did get me mildly interested in reading about some of the other couples in the book though. If you're looking for a holiday romance that isn't as cheesy as a lot of them can be, then give this one a try. I recommend the movie and the book. -
Finn Conrad wants to know why his father didn't tell him and his siblings that he was dying...and why he left a family heirloom ring and $50,000 to a nurse he had only known for a few short weeks. Finn tracks down Willa Fairchild at the Bramble House Bed & Breakfast where she is staying with her young son for the Christmas holiday. Right away Finn figures out that Willa is not the kind of woman who would con a sick man out of his money. As he gets to know Willa and her son, he finds that things are not what he expected.
I picked this book up when it was offered as a Kindle freebie last year. I saw that it was made into a movie this year, so I figured I'd read the book before watching the movie. This book reads exactly like a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie. Fortunately for them, the Hallmark Channel is where I found the movie. The story was OK, but nothing great. The couple are thrown together under secretive circumstances, fall in love, then break up after the big secret comes to light, only to get everything straightened out before Christmas is over. I found my favorite character was five-year-old Scout and old Aunt Mabel who says whatever is on her mind. Now I'm off to check out the movie and see if it actually sticks with the book. My rating: 3 Stars. -
LOVED IT! <3
It's soo sweet and fun :D I usually don't like Christmas books but this one was wonderful! <3 I could feel all the love the characters had with each other and the feeling that it was Christmas in my own house :P
Scout is my favorite character by far! He's a little and sweet gentleman <3 I love him and in a lot of moments I just wanted hug him tight :) But all the characters were really nice and fantastic too :D
It's really good and easy reading :) You should totally read it now that is Christmas in just a month :')
Thank you so much
http://www.lolasblogtours.net/ for giving me the opportunity to review this book <3
Full review:
https://makingdaysbetter.wordpress.co... :D -
What a wonderful Christmas book! It had all the good feelings I look for in a Christmas read and with Thanksgiving just around the corner, it was a great way to begin the season.
This book is #6 in a series. I have only read books 1 and 2, so I was a little skeptical that I might not understand some of the book. However, there was nothing in this story that I felt like I didn't understand. The story contains so much love, forgiveness and happiness that it will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit!
Thank you to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book. -
Finn Conrad wants answers. Egged on by his bitter mother and his concerned sisters, he visits Bramble House to find out why his recently deceased father didn’t tell his children that he was dying and left a family heirloom and money to the young nurse who knew him for only six weeks.
Willa and her six-year-old son Scout are spending Christmas at Bramble House. Finn soon finds that she is not the gold digger he expected, that the secret she’s hiding actually is about Scout and that’s why this Christmas is so important…
I have seen the Hallmark movie last year and kind of knew what to expect here. The book actually reads exactly like a Hallmark Christmas movie. I didn’t expect to find that I liked the movie more than the book, though. Somehow Scout’s story was thrown under for the average romance with single mom whose son recently recovered from Leukemia and a man trying to find out what happened before his father died.
I did like the cozy festive setting and cast of characters, most of all Scout – he really added so much to the Story. But the man meets woman, his secret revealing in a wrong moment (seriously, why didn’t he just tell her?!), the break-up, the make-up plus the Bramble-heirloom storyline felt so much more present than Scout and his special Christmas.
It is a cute Christmas read but can easily be skipped for watching the movie. -
Willa and her son Scout have traveled to Marietta, Montana to stay at the lovely bed and breakfast called the Bramble House for the three weeks before Christmas. Willa is a nurse who had a very generous patient leave the prepaid trip, a ring and fifty thousand dollars to her in his will after he passed away. Her son Scout had just beaten cancer so she felt the two needed the getaway to help Scout feel normal again.
Finn Knightly is the son of the patient that left Willa such a generous amount in his will. Finn and his three sisters and mother believe that Willa had to scam their father so Finn has decided to book the same bed and breakfast to check out Willa for himself. What Finn doesn't count on is falling in love with Willa and her son.
Such a beautiful story in a beautiful setting. Marietta and it's small town charm really makes me want to head somewhere on a Christmas trip of my own. Scout and his story would bring tears to my eyes thinking how the little guy had fought so hard and just wanted to be a normal kid. Also couldn't help but feel for Willa and her over protectiveness with Scout, how much she had gone through with him just pulls at the heartstrings. Finn was also a wonderful man who adored children and even when learning the truth didn't run from Scout the way his own father had.
Overall, highly recommend this wonderful Christmas romance.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit
https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress.... -
Goodness, I love Bramble House! It’s one of those rare story settings that I feel a need to visit. Carmichael returns to it with this sweet, emotional Christmas tale, painting it in all its glory. Throughout this well written novel Carmichael not only brings Christmas in Marietta to life, she also tells a tale that both broke my heart and gave new meaning to Christmas and forgiveness. I loved the many aspects that came together to create this complete picture.
Finn & Willa were quite the pair in this story. Both kept secrets, and both fell in love without meaning to. They were also entertaining individuals. Finn’s need to know what happened to his father while also being true to himself really drew me in. Willa’s past & fears made her real and into someone that I truly cared for. Scout broke my heart. His little fighting nature was the perfect addition to this Christmas tale. And one can’t forget Kris Krinkle. This secondary character definitely made Christmas so much sweeter.
Once again Carmichael has brought the spirit of Christmas to life with the tip of her pen. This was a fun, family Christmas story with one heck of a twist.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review. -
Willa and Finn meet when they are in the Bramble House B&B for the holidays and become little by little in love with each other, but the real motive he first approached her for could do damage to their new found love if he doesn't tell her the truth immediately.
A Bramble House Christmas is a cute and heart touching story. -
I love Christmas romances and this was a cute one. I really liked Finn and Willa. And I adored Willa’s brave little boy, Scout.
It was the story of misunderstanding as to why a patient of Willa’s gave her a Montana Sapphire ring and $50,000 before he died of cancer, and Finn’s attempt to find out if Willa swindled the money from his father, or just what happened. It was interesting and fun.
There were a couple of unanswered questions and the story ended rather abruptly but overall I liked it.
There were a few kisses but that was all, and there wasn’t one swearword. It was very G-rated. Maybe a little too G-rated for me.
I would have listened to the audio but I can’t spend $7.49 for 226 so I just read it instead. -
Brilliant feel good Christmas romance. Normally I'm not keen on this genre. But I just loved this book. Loved the setting it sounded perfect to be spending Christmas. The characters were lovely and easy to get to know. Loved the plot also
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An endearing holiday read. Willa is a single mother who was a private nurse at night because her son had leukemia so she couldn’t work regular hours. Her last patient was dying of cancer and when he found out about her son, Scout, he left her $50,000 in his will and booked them a trip to Montana in a B&B for Christmas. He also gave her a ring that ends up having mysterious ties to the Bramble family.
When the ex of the man finds out that he left a woman he knew six weeks such a large amount, she insists her son go to Montana to find out how she swindled him. Finn is a children’s book illustrator, including Scout’s favorite series. Now that he’s cancer free, all he wants is to be a normal kid… and maybe a hockey player. He doesn’t want his mom to tell anyone he’s been sick, but it seems like the whole town is out to teach both Scout and Willa that there’s life after cancer.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to everyone. -
Review originally posted at
Snowbound in Montana and loved it! A Bramble House Christmas was even more magical -- set in the Bramble house B&B in the heart of Marietta. I loved the traditional Christmas activities (sledding, pond skating, strolling through down the main drag) and the coziness of the B&B. Usually I'm not a huge fan of books with babies and kids but this one was so well done!! Finn and Willa really got to know each other over the course of the book and everything felt right. All I can say is that I wish Marietta existed and that I could spend Christmas there!!
Mable shook her head at him. "My dear boy. Do you think chances for love and happiness come along all the time? Most people are lucky if it happens once. And if they are foolish enough to let the chance slip through their fingers, then they have only themselves to blame if they end up alone and bitter."
"You're preaching to the choir, Aunt Mable. I know I"ll never meet anyone else like Willa."
"Then what on earth are you doing standing here?" -
3.5 Stars
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Tule Publishing for an honest review**
I would say that this is the best book of the series which is kinda of sad, because it leaves us with questions unanswered which annoyed me.
Willa is a nurse who helped Finn's dad in his dying days, it is only because his dad left her some money in his will that Finn knows anything about Willa. His dad also gave Willa a ring and bought her a trip to Marietta, Montana for christmas before he died.
Following Willa to Marietta, Finn gets more than her bargained for. He suspects a bit of a gold digger. What he gets is a compassionate single mother with a son who is only just in remission from cancer and with big debts to pay.
The romance was sweet and it was nice to see who these characters ended connecting with the previous characters.
What did annoy me though was the added element of the rings and a necklace. We find out that at one point the Branbles had four rings and a necklace made. We find out where two of the rings are, but nothing else. This makes you think there are going to be more books to find them, however as this book was published four years ago with no other follow ups, its safe to say we will never find out what happened to them.
It is a brilliant feel good book for the holidays, which you can now find as a film too. -
An outstanding romance that I will cherish forever. This was such a touching story with Willa and her son Scout. There story tugged at my heart. Willa is a strong character that has went through a lot with her son and her patients. Finn was upset that Willa took advantage of his poor father before he died because he left her fifty thousand dollars. Scout was a true hero in this story. He overcame cancer and was able to be himself and enjoy life as a kid. Willa and Finn both had a secret when they met but love overcame the hurt and deception. A story you will need some tissues while reading.
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Five stars. Bramble House B&B is where Willa and her son, Scout are spending Christmas. Finn is also there. Santa is there with all his magic baking cookies and making wishes come true. Love is in the air because Bramble House has its own magic. Finn, Willa, and Scout become very good friends but they both have secrets that could destroy their budding romance. Wonderful Christmas story. I recommend.
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A really lovely, heartwarming story of love, friendship and a mother learning to let go of the reins and let her son be the little boy he wants to be after a life threatening illness. Loved it.
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Cute little cozy Christmas read. The ending could’ve been longer but looking forward to seeing the Hallmark movie based on this
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3.5 stars
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A Bramble House Christmas
(Carrigans of the Circle C - #6)
By C. J. Carmichael
Never having read Author C.J. Carmichael prior to this book, I took a gamble and it paid off!
No parent wants to go through what Willa Fairchild and her six-year-old son have dealt with for the past few years. Scout had spent years going through treatment for his leukemia and now his doctors have declared him cancer free, it is time to celebrate. Thanks to a patient who gave Willa and Scout this celebration trip as a thank you for all Willa did had done for him and he went through his fight. All Scout wants is to be a “kid” again and Willa wants that but that letter “C” can often come back to haunt you even if you beat it!
Finn Knightly (Conrad) has come to Bramble House hoping to meet up with the woman his father bequeathed Fifty-thousand dollars to her for all she did while he dealt with his end of life battle. His mother might have ulterior motives but Finn really just wants to know why the bequest.
I very much enjoyed this story, the background we learned about each and every character. Scout’s wish to be just a normal boy again, to sled and skate and just have fun again was really all he wanted.
It was a fairly quick read and the story line kept you flipping those pages.
Christmas is always a very touching time of year for many and I will be honest, this touched me and there were times I had to give into a fist full of tissues but it was worth the moments when the tears appeared.
I will at some point search out Author C. J. Carmichael again. -
If you are looking for a real good holiday story to put in the mood, read A Bramble House Christmas. You need look no further. This book embodies everything we all want and need from the Christmas holidays. Besides, it is a fantastic story that reads easily and well—and is not too long.
Finn follows Willa and her young son Scout to the Bramble House B&B in Marietta, Montana. Finn wants to understand and possibly confront the woman his recently deceased father gave a princely sum to in his will, though his father only knew this woman for a few weeks right before his death. Finn is surprised when he meets Willa, since she does not seem to be the type to bilk anyone out of money, especially on his deathbed. During their short stay at the B&B, Finn, Willa and Scout spend a considerable amount of time together. Through all this, Finn discovers a single mother and her son, who are as unlikely as what he envisioned them to be. This is a real feel-good story that will restore your faith and belief in mankind as well as in the spirit of Christmas. From almost the start, I knew immediately I would love this story and probably will read it again and again, for it is a real keeper. The trio spend their holiday vacation doing all the things people in colder climates such as Montana do, skating, sledding ice skating and shopping for holiday gifts. As I read, I found it impossible to not love Fin or Willa or Scout. Willa sometimes came across as over protective and a helicopter parent, but, the back story explains why—after knowing it I cut her a lot of slack. The chemistry between Finn and Willa was there almost from the moment they met. Young Scout and his back story only add to the pleasure of the story.
Unlike so many other holiday stories, this one reeks of genuineness. Marietta is a typical small town, where everyone knows everyone and everything about each other and could not be a better setting. However, in this case, there are still secrets about the main characters that the author cleverly reveals and puts into place to provide a fairly well written novel. The key to it all, besides a wonderful, endearing plot, is the author’s writing skill. I have not read anything else by her, but after this, I have put her and her books on the must read list. I am sure you will also. This is the book for anyone seeking a really good Christmas holiday story. If I could give it more than five stars, I would. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
